Latest news with #women'sfootball
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
New-look Lionesses head to Switzerland looking to conquer Europe once again
England head to Switzerland with a new look but with the same goal as three years ago when they conquered Europe. The Lionesses are tasked with defending their first major title at this summer's European Championship, having lifted the trophy at Wembley and transformed women's football across the country. Advertisement But four of Sarina Wiegman's unchanged starting line-up from 2022 have now retired. Ellen White hung up her boots shortly after, then Rachel Daly retired from international football in 2024. FIFA Best and Sports Personality of the Year-winning goalkeeper Mary Earps shockingly called time on her England career late last month, quickly followed by attacking midfielder Fran Kirby. Add an announcement from World Cup captain Millie Bright, who made herself unavailable for selection in order to address her physical and mental health, and some started to wonder if this could be a summer of struggle for England. Advertisement But the Lionesses have brushed aside that speculation, insisting once again this is a 'new England' ahead of their title defence. Arsenal striker Russo has a bigger role to play this summer (Bradley Collyer/PA) While many of Wiegman's 13 2022 returnees – like Arsenal striker Alessia Russo and Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton – have significantly stepped up in responsibility, seven major tournament newcomers will also be looking to make their mark. Aggie Beever-Jones has enjoyed a breakout season at Chelsea, last month completing a hat-trick on her Wembley debut for England, while 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang – who has returned to Arsenal after a Brighton loan spell – scored 41 seconds into her maiden senior international appearance in April. Advertisement Stalwarts like Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze – heading into her seventh major tournament and fourth consecutive Euros – will provide the experience. And while England may not be able to replicate the magic of that maiden trophy on home soil, winning one away from home would be another historic achievement. Wales have qualified for their first major tournament (Nick Potts/PA) Wales, meanwhile, qualified for their first major tournament after beating the Republic of Ireland in a dramatic 2-1 second-leg victory to win their play-off 3-2 on aggregate. Boss Rhian Wilkinson has used Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Wales' highest peak, as a metaphor for their mission in Switzerland. Wales are the lowest-ranked team in the Euros, drawn in a very difficult group with holders England, 2017 winners the Netherlands and 2022 semi-finalists France, but Wilkinson has insisted her side are not simply just happy to be included. Speaking from the top of Yr Wyddfa, she said: 'As we've moved towards the Euros we've talked about the summit, the Everest part of it. That something is impossible until it isn't. Advertisement 'Outside Wales people can think whatever they want. 'Our goal is to show up and deliver to the best of our ability. I am sure people will be looking up Wales on a map very soon.'
The Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
New-look Lionesses head to Switzerland looking to conquer Europe once again
England head to Switzerland with a new look but with the same goal as three years ago when they conquered Europe. The Lionesses are tasked with defending their first major title at this summer's European Championship, having lifted the trophy at Wembley and transformed women's football across the country. But four of Sarina Wiegman's unchanged starting line-up from 2022 have now retired. Ellen White hung up her boots shortly after, then Rachel Daly retired from international football in 2024. FIFA Best and Sports Personality of the Year-winning goalkeeper Mary Earps shockingly called time on her England career late last month, quickly followed by attacking midfielder Fran Kirby. Add an announcement from World Cup captain Millie Bright, who made herself unavailable for selection in order to address her physical and mental health, and some started to wonder if this could be a summer of struggle for England. But the Lionesses have brushed aside that speculation, insisting once again this is a 'new England' ahead of their title defence. While many of Wiegman's 13 2022 returnees – like Arsenal striker Alessia Russo and Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton – have significantly stepped up in responsibility, seven major tournament newcomers will also be looking to make their mark. Aggie Beever-Jones has enjoyed a breakout season at Chelsea, last month completing a hat-trick on her Wembley debut for England, while 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang – who has returned to Arsenal after a Brighton loan spell – scored 41 seconds into her maiden senior international appearance in April. Stalwarts like Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze – heading into her seventh major tournament and fourth consecutive Euros – will provide the experience. And while England may not be able to replicate the magic of that maiden trophy on home soil, winning one away from home would be another historic achievement. Wales, meanwhile, qualified for their first major tournament after beating the Republic of Ireland in a dramatic 2-1 second-leg victory to win their play-off 3-2 on aggregate. Boss Rhian Wilkinson has used Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Wales' highest peak, as a metaphor for their mission in Switzerland. Wales are the lowest-ranked team in the Euros, drawn in a very difficult group with holders England, 2017 winners the Netherlands and 2022 semi-finalists France, but Wilkinson has insisted her side are not simply just happy to be included. Speaking from the top of Yr Wyddfa, she said: 'As we've moved towards the Euros we've talked about the summit, the Everest part of it. That something is impossible until it isn't. 'Outside Wales people can think whatever they want. 'Our goal is to show up and deliver to the best of our ability. I am sure people will be looking up Wales on a map very soon.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool midfielder Holland signs new deal
Liverpool midfielder Ceri Holland has signed a new contract with the club. WSL Full-Time were informed of the news via an official club press release from The Reds this morning. The 27-year-old Welsh international joined Liverpool in the January 2021 transfer window and she has established herself as a key member of the team. Holland won promotion to the Barclays Women's Super League in 2021/2022 and she has continued to be a regular performer for The Reds in the top flight. This season saw the midfielder make her 100th appearance for Liverpool in all competitions. Advertisement With Holland being such an important member of the Liverpool squad, the club have moved to retain her services for an extended period. After signing on again with The Reds, Holland said 'I'm really excited, it was something that's been going on in the background for a little while now and I'm just really happy to have it done and excited to move forward with this team, and see where we can go. 'It's been an amazing four years, I've really enjoyed my time here. We've had a lot of success but also there's a lot more we can give and a lot to build on. I think that was a major part of me re-signing. 'I can see there's potential here for us to grow as a group, we've got a really good set of girls and our squad has a lot of talent. 'I want to win things, I want to have success with this club, I think i can contribute and really help us grow to the next level.' Further Liverpool squad news will be announced in due course.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hamilton Academical to set up new Women's team and BAN current SWPL1 side from using club's intellectual property
Hamilton Academical FC have banned SWPL1 side Hamilton Accies Women from using the club's name and branding - and told them they must cease using their intellectual property immediately. The move comes after Accies Women opted to sever ties with the wider footballing operation, following the men's team's decision to leave New Douglas Park last month. Advertisement In a bombshell letter, HAFC's board of directors have informed the team that they intend to set up a new women's side and women's/girls academy under the Accies name, meaning the current 'Accies Women' must be rebranded. Last week, Accies Women announced they would be staying at New Douglas Park next season and would not be following the men's and academy teams in leaving the stadium. The men's senior team is moving to Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld after a fallout with the New Douglas Park owners over a propsed purchase of the ground. It is understood the Women's team's decision to break rank has not gone down well with the Hamilton Academical hierarchy. And a stadium insider has revealed to Lanarkshire Live Sport that a letter has now been delivered to New Douglas Park demanding Accies Women change their name and refrain from using any references or implying any association to Hamilton Academical FC, with immediate effect. Hamilton Accies Women are staying at New Douglas Park next season -Credit:SNS Group HAFC have also asked the women's team to remove the club's IP from social media, merchandise and physical assets as soon as possible. Advertisement In last week's statement announcing they were staying at New Douglas Park, Accies Women said: "Since 2013, Hamilton Accies Women have operated under the Accies name and ethos while remaining a financially independent and separately governed organisation. "This structure has allowed us to focus solely on the growth and sustainability of women's football in Hamilton — from youth development through to elite level. "While we had hoped to continue a collaborative approach with the wider footballing organisation in Hamilton, repeated efforts to establish strategic dialogue and shared planning have not progressed in recent seasons. As a result, our committee has taken the necessary steps to secure the future of the women's club independently." READ MORE: Hamilton Accies part company with Jamie Barjonas as player exodus continues READ MORE: Hamilton Accies Broadwood move still to be approved, SPFL confirms READ MORE: Hamilton's New Douglas Park opened up for pitch hire after Accies exit
The Independent
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
FA approves radical change to Women's Super League
Plans for the Women's Super League to be expanded to 14 teams have been approved by the FA Board, passing its final hurdle. The news comes after WSL clubs voted to expand the top flight from 12 to 14 earlier in the week. FA approval was needed due to the 'golden share' which the association holds over the women's game. The plans will now come into place for the 2026/27 season, with the top two teams in the Women's Super League 2 promoted automatically at the end of the upcoming campaign. A relegation play-off between the bottom WSL side and third-placed WSL 2 outfit will decide the final spot of the enlarged division. A statement, published on the FA's website, read: 'The FA Board has approved proposals made by WSL Football to increase the size of the Barclays Women's Super League (BWSL) to 14 clubs. These approvals were made pursuant to The FA's rights under its special share in the leagues and also FA Rules.' From the 2026/27 onwards, one club will be automatically promoted into the WSL with the worst performing side in the top-flight relegated. Then, the 13th-placed side in the top tier will face the second-placed WSL 2 team in a play-off. The FA's statement added: 'There will be consequential changes to promotion throughout the remainder of the women's football pyramid for the 2025-26 season, which will be decided in due course. 'The growth of the WSL and the WSL 2 reflects the ongoing evolution of the women's professional game in England which we consider will be of benefit to all clubs.' Initial plans to remove relegation all together were scraped after backlash from supporters, with clubs instead approving the new 14-team arrangement.
